Wisconsin Forests at Risk Webinar
Wisconsin's Green Fire, January 16, 2025


Wisconsin Forests at Risk Webinar, January 15, 2025. View on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g25VMh__kH8. Take the feedback survey at https://s.zoom.us/m/bPFdfXu57
Wisconsin Forests at Risk Webinar (Recorded Jan. 15, 2025)
On, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 12:00-1:00pm CT, we held our Wisconsin Forests at Risk Webinar. During the webinar, we focused on the big themes from our December 2024 Opportunities Now paper, Wisconsin Forests at Risk: Engaging Wisconsinites in Another Century of Forest Conservation. Our panel of forest experts discussed key threats to Wisconsin’s forest ecology, Wisconsin’s forest-based economy, and trends in forest landownership.
Panelists:
- Fred Clark
- Paul Strong
- Tom Hittle
- Dr. Adena Rissman
What to Expect:
- Webinar hosted by Carolyn Pralle, WGF Communications and Outreach Coordinator
- Welcome and opening words by Meleesa Johnson, WGF Executive Director
- Panel discussion focused on:
- Origins on our Opportunities Now paper
- Ecological changes in Wisconsin forests
- Forest industry and economic trends
- Forest landowner trends
- Where do we go from here?
- Q & A with attendees in audience
Premier Webinar Sponsor:
Thank you to The Nature Conservancy in Wisconsin for sponsoring this webinar!
Watch the Webinar Recording:
- Watch the recording of the webinar in the embedded video below, or on YouTube.
- Please take the feedback survey to tell us about your experience attending the webinar or viewing the recording!
Webinar Poll Question Results
We used poll questions to learn more about and from our attendees. Here are the results of the two poll questions we asked during the webinar.
First, we asked, “What brought you to today’s webinar? (Check all that apply.)”
Our webinar attendees (n=177) indicated their reasons for attending the Wisconsin Forests at Risk Webinar. 68 (38%) own or live on forestland. 52 (29%) work in the forest industry. 98 (55%) are involved in forest conservation. 11 (6%) are elected officials. 82 (46%) are just concerned about Wisconsin forests. 36 (20%) are curious about Wisconsin’s Green Fire. 15 (8%) selected other.
Near the end of the webinar, we asked, “What actions will you take to engage with forests and forest conservation? (Check all that apply.)”
Our webinar attendees (n=161) indicated the actions they will take to engage with forests and forest conservation. 69 (43%) selected Contact my elected officials. 106 (66%) selected Talk to my family and/or colleagues. 102 (63%) selected Read and share WGF’s paper. 90 (56%) selected Visit a Wisconsin forest. 68 (42%) selected Contact a forester or conservation organization in my area. 37 (23%) selected Other. 2 (<1%) selected No action.

Northwoods white pines, paper birches, and eastern hemlocks in Vilas County, WI. Photo by Carolyn Pralle, January 2025
What’s Next?
Stay tuned for more updates from Wisconsin’s Green Fire on forest conservation policy and management. We anticipate diving into more details and providing information based on the questions and chat messages from attendees during the webinar.
This webinar was intended to be just the beginning of big conversations on the future of our forests.
Please contact us to follow up about the content of the webinar, connect with the panelists and WGF staff, or to ask other questions about our work on forest conservation.
Did attending this webinar on Wisconsin Forests at Risk inspire or inform you? Our work is only possible thanks to the generous support of our donors.
Please consider supporting our work at Wisconsin’s Green Fire with a donation today. A gift of any amount makes you a member. Thank you!